Alexandra Atnif
Rhythmic Brutalism Vol. 2

Animalia presents the first in a series of 2 x 12” compilations… For volume one, comes Microevolutions… An homage to the label’s continued growth and evolution, a label dedicated to authentic celebrations of talented local artists. Here, Animalia returns to its roots with a release compiled by the members of Menage (plus special guests Ebbs n Flow), all compiled in the northern suburbs of Naarm (Melbourne). The compilation showcases the various moods and facets that make up the deep yet somehow undefinable Animalia sound. From deep techno to UK garage and everything in between, Microevolutions is an earnest reflection of the diversity of sound that makes Animalia so special.

EM Records: ...from Beginning c​/​w Lena Willikens Remix, released November 23, 2018"Beginning" composed and produced by Mari SekinePublisher: Eel's Bed Music(c) & (p) 2018 EM Records

RWD-FWD: ...“And the excitement he felt stood beside her would not leave him... “NoCorner are proud to welcome back the artists that helped shape the label, presenting their latest single with 'Slow Hours' –Having previously released a cassette and 7” single on the label as well as an EP on Ramp Recordings, Young Echo members 'Jabu' return with this milestone – a slowly turning piece about love-sickness and longing... This is distilled soul music in it's purest form.From the first beat right through to the final chorus, the brooding tension and almost unbearable tranquility of chester giles' words amplify the heaviness of the rhythm, controlling time until 'Alex Rendall' the voice of Jabu sets in with the chorus, echoing chester's sentiments, elevating this feeling into higher heights.A masterfully executed love-song... 'Achingly smooth' as Steve Barker put it.

Efficient Space: ...Efficient Space continues to expose Australia’s esoteric musical history with Oz Waves - a collection of 80s DIY recordings, compiled by odd wave anthropologist Steele Bonus. Definitive proof that inhabitants of the Down Underground were links in a global network of creative kooks, Oz Waves connects those who utilised mobile recording rigs and small press releases to create and disseminate misfit synth-punk, tape loop experiments and inner city pop. Through overseas mail order exchanges, anonymous groups like Zerox Dreamflesh could find place on Belgian compilations, while Chris and Cosey lullabied their son to sleep with Irena Xero and her interdisciplinary art collective Zip.

Bonus selects 10 survivors from this fertile period (1982-1989), most of which were only issued on cassette in tiny editions of 5 to 100 copies. M Squared affiliates Prod join the extraterrestrial Software Seduction, minimal wave neglect from He Dark Age and the irreverent cut ups of The Horse He's Sick and MK Ultra & the Assassins of Light. The remaining tracks have been sourced from musicians’ private archives and are being officially released on Oz Waves for the first time - Andy Rantzen’s industrial dub Itch-E & Scratch-E precursor, the buoyant vocal-drone of Ironing Music and Moral Fibro, Sydney’s short lived answer to Weekend and Marine Girls. With detailed track by track notes, lines are drawn to Severed Heads, Scattered Order and other antipodean post-punk royalty.

As a DJ, Steele Bonus has gained notoriety via the exquisite selections that form his ongoing mix series Odd Waves. Sydney-born, Amsterdam-based, his graphic design has not only been responsible for sleeves on Efficient Space, but also trusted Amsterdam connoisseurs Music From Memory and Young Marco’s Safe Trip.